Synthesis of the Campylobacter jejuni 81-176 Strain Capsular Poly-saccharide Repeating Unit Reveals the Absolute Configuration of its O-Methyl Phosphoramidate Motif

The O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN) motif is a non-stoichiometric modification of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) in approximate to 70% of all Campylobacter jejuni strains. Infections by C. jejuni lead to food-borne illnesses and the CPS they produce are key virulence factors. The MeOPN phosphorus atom in these CPS is stereogenic and is found as a single stereoisomer. However, to date, the absolute stereochemistry at this atom has been undefined. We report the synthesis of the three repeating units found in C. jejuni 81-176 CPS; one of these possesses a MeOPN group. In the course of these studies we established that the stereochemistry of the phosphorus atom in this MeOPN group is R. These studies represent the first unequivocal proof of stereochemistry of this group in any C. jejuni CPS. The compounds produced are anticipated to be useful tools in investigations targeting the function and biosynthesis of this structurally-interesting modification, which so far has only been identified in campylobacter.